Employee Benefits
Springfield Technical Community College is pleased to offer benefited employees the option of a variety of insurance choices. As a potential employee or current employee, please take a few minutes to read about the various benefits offered and links to important websites for further information. As always, you can contact a member of the Office of Human Resources to answer any questions you may have.
Offered through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC)
Health Insurance
Through the GIC, a variety of health insurance plans are offered for eligible employees, employees spouse, and dependent children (up to the age of 26 where applicable by law).
Employees hired after June 30, 2003, regardless of salary, pay 25% of the monthly premium, which varies depending on chosen plan.
Coverage begins on the first day of the month, following 60 calendar days from the date of employment.
Basic Life Insurance
For a low-cost premium, a $5,000 term life insurance plan is offered to benefit eligible employees. Employees that elect health insurance coverage are automatically covered by the basic life insurance.
Optional Life Insurance
This employee-pay-all benefit is offered to provide economic support for your family. This term insurance allows you to increase your coverage up to eight times your annual base salary. Term insurance covers you and pays your designated beneficiary. This policy has no cash value. Further, life insurance is not an investment policy. Lower rates are provided for employees who are non-smokers for at least one full year. Changes to your smoker status may be changed at each annual open enrollment, effective for July 1st.
You must have Basic Life Insurance to enroll in Optional Life Insurance. The monthly premium is determined by your age and base salary.
For complete information on enrolling in Optional Life Insurance
Long Term Disability Insurance
Another employee-pay-all benefit that would provide a tax-free income replacement payment of up to 55% of gross monthly salary after a qualified illness or injury. Benefits begin after the covered employee is disabled for 90 consecutive days. Benefit payments will be reduced by other income sources. The monthly premium is based on your age and base monthly salary.
For additional information on Long Term Disability
Health Care Spending Account
Eligible employees can pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses not covered by a medical or dental plan through pre-tax deductions. For the 2014 year, participants can contribute from $500 to $2,500 through your payroll deductions. There is a small administration fee paid per month also.
Dependent Care Assistance Program
Eligible employees can pay for qualified dependent care expenses, such as day care, after-school programs, elder day care, and day camp, on a pre-tax basis. Annual elections can be up to $5,000. There is a small administration fee paid per month also.
Retirement Information
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Department of Higher Education offer a number of ways to prepare for retirement. All eligible employees are offered the Massachusetts State Employee Retirement System (MSERS). New Full-time Faculty, MCCC Unit Professionals, and Non-Unit Professionals are also given the choice to enroll in the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of the MSERS.
State Employee Retirement (MSERS)
The Massachusetts State Employee Retirement System (MSERS) is a contributory, defined benefit retirement system administered through the State Board of Retirement and governed by Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 32. MSERS provides not only retirement benefits, but also disability, survivor, and death benefits to members and their beneficiaries. Membership is mandatory for all benefited employees. The amount of an employees pre-tax contribution is 9% of regular salary and an additional 2% of regular salary in excess of $30,000.
For specific information on MSERS
Optional Retirement Plan (ORP)
New benefited faculty, MCCC Unit Professionals, and Non-Unit Professionals are eligible to enroll with the Optional Retirement Plan if they are not vested in the MSERS. The Department of Higher Education administers the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP). The ORP is a defined contribution plan that provides income based on the investment performance of your individual account balance that you decide how it is invested. The employee's pre-tax contribution is 9% of regular salary and an additional 2% of regular salary in excess of $30,000. Participants are able to choose from ORP providers. As of 2019, Fidelity and TIAA-CREF are the approved vendors. This is subject to change. Each eligible new employee has 180 days to decide between MSERS and ORP. Please know that once a decision has been made, it is irrevocable.
For specific information on ORP
Social Security
Commonwealth of Massachusetts state employees do not have Social Security taxes withheld from their earnings. (Medicare is taken out.) Employees retiring with a state pension who are also eligible for Social Security benefits may have their Social Security Benefits reduced by Social Security's Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and/or Government Pension Offset (GPO).
For specific information on WEP
For specific information on GPO
Deferred Compensation Plan The Smart Plan - 457
Under Internal Revenue Code Section 457(b), this plan allows employees to put aside additional pre-tax payroll earnings for retirement. Employees are allowed to participate in this plan at any time. IRS annual limits do apply. The plan is administered by Great West.
Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(B)
Under Internal Revenue Code Section 403(b), this plan allows employees to put aside additional pre-tax payroll deductions for retirement. Employees are allowed to participate in this plan at any time. IRS annual limits do apply. The Department of Higher Education currently contracts with several vendors.
For more information on the 403b plans, please contact a member of the Office of Human Resources.
For specific information on Commonwealth Tax & Deferred Savings Plan
Dental Insurance/Vision Coverage
Non-Unit Professional Employees: New employees and their eligible dependents are eligible for coverage with MetLife on the first day of the month following 60 calendar days from the date of employment. Monthly dental premiums are $22.80 individual/$45.60 family per month. As a companion to the dental plan, Met2020 saves employees and their eligible dependents on regular eye exams, as well as provides discounts on eyewear at participating providers nationwide.
Faculty and Unit Professional Employees (MCCC): New employees and their eligible dependents are eligible for coverage with MetLife following 180 days of employment. As a companion to the dental plan, Met2020 saves employees and their eligible dependents on regular eye exams, as well as provides discounts on eyewear at participating providers nationwide.
Classified Employee (AFSCME): New employees and their eligible dependents are eligible for coverage with Delta Dental beginning on the first day of the month following six months of employment. There is no monthly premium for this benefit. As a companion to the dental plan, unit members and their eligible dependents can receive coverage for routine eye exams and eyewear from either Davis Vision Provider Network Plan or the Alternative Vision Plan. For additional information, please contact your Union Steward.
Miscellaneous Benefits
Employee Assistance Program Higher Ed EAP, a division of ESI
To connect with ALLONE Health Simply Call 1-800-451-1834
Whether you might benefit from a one-time consultation, ongoing support, financial guidance, an attorney, or tickets to a show, AllOne Health can help. Your EAP is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone and Smart Phone App.
For online tools go to AllOneHealthEAP.com.
Contact Human Resources to get started with an employee user name and password.
This benefit is available for STCC employees and your qualified household dependents and significant others. Your Employee Assistance Program is an invaluable resource you can turn to. Simply call 1-800-451-1834, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm to set up an appointment. In the event of an emergency, you can call 24-hours a day and speak to a counselor. The EAP counselors are licensed and specifically trained to help and when necessary, refer you to additional appropriate resources. The EAP offers up to three (3) counseling sessions at locations throughout Massachusetts. If you do need additional resources, the EAP can assist in referring you to a provider on your health insurance plan. If you need assistance that is not covered by insurance, the counselor will recommend services based on your ability to pay.
Fitness Center Building 2
With your Ram Card, you are able to utilize our Fitness Center. Hours and days vary during the year so please check with the Center for up-to-date information.
Paid Time Off refer to your handbook or collective bargaining agreement for complete details
Holiday Time - Benefit eligible employees are eligible for 11 holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Patriots Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day
Personal Time - Up to three personal days may be given to new hires at time of hire and annually based on their employment classification. Personal time is not paid out at end of employment.
Sick Time - Up to 15 days of sick leave is earned during a calendar year. Unused sick leave accumulates with no maximum. Sick time is not paid out at end of employment. Sick leave is bought back at 20% of sick leave total at retirement only.
Vacation Time - Not available to all benefited employees. Accrued per the collective bargaining agreements or Non-Unit Professional handbook and varies based on your years of service. Unused vacation accumulates with a maximum of 64 days. Effective 7/1/19, employees may only receive 50 days of accrued vacation time. Vacation, up to the maximum, is paid out at end of employment.
Parking
As an employee, you have access to free, on-campus parking. If you have questions regarding parking, please contact Ed Newport, parking clerk, at parking@stcc.edu.
Additional Discounts
Through the Student Activities Department, employees are able to purchase discount movie passes and participate in various sponsored trips. Please stop by the Student Activities and Development Office, located in the Ira H. Rubenzahl Student Learning Commons (B19), 1st floor, room 129, for more information.
Important Information on Affordable Care Act
The Federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires that all employees receive this notice to help them understand health insurance Marketplaces, which were set up to make it easier for consumers to compare health insurance plans and enroll in coverage. In Massachusetts, the state Marketplace is known as the Massachusetts Health Connector. Please take a look at the Market Place Notice for Complete Information.
Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace Question and Answer